On 18 November Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite held a meeting with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki–moon making his first visit to Lithuania, reported the IA REGNUM correspondent referring to the press service of the President of Lithuania. Preparation of Lithuania for work in one of the main UN bodies - the Security Council, other relevant contemporary challenges faced by the international security, and other topical issues on the UN agenda, were discussed at the meeting.

The President of Lithuania and the UN Secretary General discussed preparations for the upcoming Vilnius summit. As noted by the press service of the President of Lithuania, the discussion covered issues related to the economic pressure and information attacks, targeted with the approach of this event at the countries - members of the "Eastern Partnership" programme and Lithuania, as well as on the situation of human rights in the countries of the "Eastern Partnership". The President has also brought to notice of the Secretary-General the issue of energy security. According to her, energy resources are increasingly becoming the cause of international conflicts today, therefore this issue is of particular relevance to the entire world. The two parties have also exchanged views on cooperation between the EU and the UN to ensure peace in Syria, Iran and Palestine.

According to Grybauskaite, Lithuania, working in the UN Security Council, will seek to enhance the effectiveness of the implementation of international commitments. She stressed that each country - a member of the UN should follow the international law, faithfully fulfil its obligations and to ensure the precedence of law. This is one of the main ways in strengthening international peace and security.

Lithuania was elected an impermanent member of the UN Security Council on 17 October.

Note, Lithuania accuses Russia of the economic pressure and the information war.

Material has been prepared by the Centre of Geopolitical Studies with reference to the article from “IA REGNUM” of 18 11 2013

For effective complex defence of Latvia, the establishment of a permanent division of the National Armed Forces has started in Latgale, reported the official website of the Ministry of Defence.

On 13 January a concert "Together to the victory" was held in Lithuania, where the audience decided to support Ukraine's defence and donated 110 thousand Euros.

Alexander Lukashenko on 9 January signed a decree № 8 "On the establishment of visa-free entry and exit of foreign nationals." The document establishes visa-free entry to Belarus for a period not exceeding 5 days at the entrance through the checkpoint "National Airport Minsk" for citizens of 80 countries, - reported the press service of the President of Belarus.